Co-founder and member of iconic pop group the Bee Gees Barry Gibb collected his knighthood on Tuesday, which he was awarded for his exceptional services to both music and charity. At 71 years old, Sir Barry is the oldest and last surviving member of the trio, and he paid tribute to his brothers throughout the ceremony.

The singer-songwriter and producer explained on the day that “If it was not for my brothers, I would not be here” and emphasised that “If I had spent my whole life writing songs on my own, it would have meant something else altogether.” He also said he hoped that wherever they were, his brothers “were aware of what happened”.

Over the course of their career, the Bee Gees sold over 220 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful recording artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 by Brian Wilson, the frontman of the Beach Boys, and their induction script reads “Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees.”

The band retired from performing under the Bee Gees name after 45 years in 2003, following the death of the oldest brother, Maurice Gibb. Barry and Robin later joined up again to perform under the name, but Robin died aged 62 in 2012, following a long battle with cancer.

Reflecting on his career and achievements, Barry said he found his new title “a bit surreal” but that it  was “a high award that your culture can give you and that is something I am enormously proud of.” Above all though, he said there was “no question” about whether he would have prefered to have his brothers share in the occasion.